“I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send Him to you. And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment. … when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth. … He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you.” (John 16:7-8, 13, 15)
I once read the story of a student at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, who was facing a major exam in a Logic class. This was a really tough subject and many of the students failed. But the professor made a concession to the students. He allowed them to bring as much information to the test as they could fit on one side of an 8 ½ x 11-inch sheet of paper. Writing in the tiniest print, most students filled their sheets with notes.
One student, however, took the professor’s guidance literally and still managed to max the exam. How? He arranged for an Advanced Logic student to meet him the day of the exam. He laid an 8 ½ x 11-inch piece of paper on the floor next to his desk and had the advanced student stand on it. Each time the student didn’t know the answer to a test question, he turned to the expert at his side who gave him the correct answer.
Because he rigidly adhered to the professor’s guidance, his plan was deemed acceptable. While all the other students had their sheets of paper crammed full of notes, this wise student had a living, breathing expert at his side.
This is what the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus promised to send us, is to all Christian believers. God does not merely give us a written code, etched in stone or copied on parchment. He gives us the living Spirit of God to be our teacher, counselor, helper, and guide. God doesn’t just give us an instruction book, the Bible. God sends the divine Author of the Bible into our hearts to transform us, put godly desires in us, and empower us to live lives that are pleasing to Him (Ezekiel 36:26-27).
REFLECTION
- If the Holy Spirit lives within our hearts, can He be any closer to us?
- If the Spirit is so close, why do we ignore Him and try to live our lives and face our challenges in our own strength?
- The Spirit of God is an unlimited source of power. Let’s tap into Him by faith for the strength we need today.
